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Think back to the old days when a baseball game took… I haven’t counted it yet, but remember it was like 9 hours?
We are now living in the future, and the future is both terrifying and beautiful. This is Levi Weaver here with Ken Rosenthal. welcome!
everything goes according to plan
That’s a small sample size, but that’s fine as long as you’re comparing it to another small sample size, right? Here’s a comparison after a day of gaming.
Average opening time of game
2022: 3:16
2023: 2:45
Stealing Attempts Per Game
2022: 0.73
2023: 1.53
total hits
2022: 14.4
2023: 16.8
One problem with small sample sizes: 34 A hit in the Blue Jays’ 10-9 win over the Cardinals (or Phillies) three A triple against the Rangers) can negate the average, so take all this into consideration. However, his doubles average went from 2.86 to 2.8, triples from .13 to .40 (shift effect?), and home runs he increased from 2.13 to 1.4.
There will be an average of 9.26 singles per MLB game on Opening Day in 2022, and that number will jump to 12.2 in 2023.
More first runners + throws over limit + bigger bases = more than twice as many stolen base attempts.
In short, it’s more baseball, not less. There is just less dead time between pitches. Frankly, this year’s game is much easier to watch.
Ken’s Corner
Yankees rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe impressed Giants right-hander Logan Webb, one of the game’s best starters, in the first at-bat of his major league career.
It wasn’t just that it calmed his nerves enough to take a walk on what Volpe later said was probably the most enjoyable day of his life. Look how close Webb’s pitch was to the strike zone.
All four balls were on the outside edge. So were the so-called strikes. But Volpe didn’t give chase. “I’m not saying he’s going to be Juan Soto,” Webb said afterwards. “But he intends to draw his steps.” (Volpe walks his ninth, .415 OBP in spring training.)
Another note from the Giants-Yankees opener: Giants left-handed reliever Taylor Rodgers, who joined the team during the offseason on a three-year, $33 million free agency deal, developed a new pitch, the Cut Fastball. said. 10 days left of spring training!
Rodgers said he needed a third pitch to match his fastball and slider, and worked with Giants pitching director Brian Bannister and assistant pitching coach JP Martinez to incorporate the cutter.
“There’s no better time to build a pitch than 10 days before the season,” Rodgers said.
Lotta year…
you don’t offal I feel sorry for the Mets, but… we can.
After owner Steve Cohen invested almost all of New Zealand’s GDP in free agency this offseason, Edwin Diaz and Jose Quintana suffered injuries this spring and Justin Verlander now has a mild shoulder strain. is starting the season in IL.
Verlander claims it’s no big deal, but the Mets have a bit of cynicism and, based at least in part on injury risk, allow Jacob deGrom to leave and replace him in the rotation. signed Verlander, 40, for
“He’s the rare type of pitcher where age doesn’t matter anymore,” an anonymous scout said of Verlander in November.
All is not lost. Mets co-ace Max Scherzer pitched six innings, allowing three runs and his two walks, and he struck out six in the opening game of the Mets’ 5–3 victory over the Marlins. bottom.
By the way, Verlander isn’t the only big pitcher in the NL East. Max Freed was ruled out of the Braves’ first game with a hamstring issue.
Let’s get our freedom when we learn…
In 2018 I spoke with Rob Manfred about how minor leaguers are paid (and not paid). ) told me how to pay musicians (which wasn’t accurate).
Five years later, many factors have changed. Public opinion on their plight has changed, in part because minor leaguers have been outspoken about working conditions.
In addition, there were legal implications. Last year’s “Senne” lawsuit awarded minor his leaguer $185 million in damages. Last year, the buzz started in Washington, D.C., that MLB’s antitrust waivers could be stripped if something didn’t change.
In addition, the MLBPA changed course late last summer, signaling its willingness to field minor league players.
Frankly, it’s about time. No, the 33-year-old minor his leaguer serves as practice fodder for up-and-coming prospects and doesn’t deserve seven-figure payouts. But someone who works in a multi-billion dollar industry doesn’t deserve to sleep six in a six-person room and not pay full spring training.
Check out Evan Drellich for all the details about the minor league CBA. We will keep you posted on any developments regarding this matter.
update: Minor Leaguers voted to ratify the CBA.
handshake and high five
Aaron Judge homered in the first game.
Surprise: Adam Wainwright sang the national anthem. No, really. But he’s not the first pitcher to do so – Martín Perez sang the Venezuelan national anthem before the WBC tune-up game earlier this month.
Rockies closer Daniel Byrd is starting the season in Illinois due to unrest. This isn’t the first time he’s been through the wilderness. his upbringing a few years ago.
Nick Groke recaps the WBC’s biggest stories.
DeGrom’s first start wasn’t dominant, but the Rangers won and are above .500 for the first time since August 15, 2020.
Cue Tungsten Arm Odoyle’s tweet: Shohei Ohtani hits 10, allows two hits to keep a clean sheet — and Angels lose to A’s, 2-1
In addition to the Cardinals/Blue Jays, the Orioles and Red Sox also had something wild to start the season with. I got it all, right down to being bathed in water. 4 times), the Orioles stole five bases and fell just short of a Boston comeback in the second half — the Orioles won 10–9.
Oh yeah, there was Adley Lutschman, who hit a home run in his first at-bat and became the first…umm…excause myself? ? First catcher in MLB history what?
I… TRUE I doubt it. First day nervous? Stomach trouble? That seems pretty normal — OHHHH. five hitsI took it. Graphic design is my passion.
windup playlist
Every day I like to use lyrics in subheaders for fun. At the end of each week I leave a playlist with all the songs I used. He’s only had two days this week, so the list is shorter than usual, but most Fridays, there’s a playlist of about 15 songs waiting for you in this space. This week’s content includes:
(Top photo of Shohei Ohtani: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
